Philips Arena

Philips Arena
Warren LeMay from Cincinnati, OH, United States · CC0 · source
Name	Philips Arena
Location	Atlanta, Georgia (U.S. state), United States
Opened	1999
Owner	Atlanta Falcons (original), Philip Anschutz (former naming rights)
Capacity	18,118 (basketball)
Surface	multi-surface

Philips Arena Philips Arena is an indoor arena in Atlanta, Georgia (U.S. state), United States that opened in 1999 as a major venue for National Basketball Association and National Hockey League-level events, as well as concerts and NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament games. The arena has hosted teams and events connected to the National Basketball Association, National Hockey League, Arena Football League, and touring productions by artists associated with Live Nation Entertainment, AEG Presents, and major record labels. Its location in downtown Atlanta places it near the Georgia World Congress Center, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and CNN Center.

History

The arena was developed in the late 1990s amid a wave of new arenas such as Madison Square Garden (1968), Staples Center, and United Center, aiming to modernize sports and entertainment infrastructure in Atlanta. The site selection followed negotiations involving City of Atlanta officials, private developers, and sports franchises including the Atlanta Hawks and the Atlanta Thrashers. Construction employed firms experienced with projects like Mellon Arena renovations and concert-stage engineering used for Woodstock '99. Upon opening, the venue immediately hosted NBA All-Star Game-related events, WWE Monday Night Raw tapings, and touring residencies by performers who had previously booked Metropolitan Opera tours or Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus revivals.

Naming and ownership

The arena's original naming rights were acquired by Philips, a multinational corporation with sponsorship history including UEFA Champions League partnerships and Olympic Games lighting contracts; later rights and branding negotiations involved entities such as Anschutz Entertainment Group and local ownership groups tied to the Atlanta Hawks. Ownership and operational control have intersected with organizations like the Atlanta Spirit consortium and corporate partners that also manage venues for National Football League franchises such as the Atlanta Falcons and corporate suites marketed to firms like Coca-Cola and Delta Air Lines.

Architecture and facilities

Designed by architects with experience on projects including MSG Sphere concept studies and renovation work on Madison Square Garden, the arena features a bowl configuration suitable for NBA basketball, indoor ice hockey, and concert staging modeled on layouts from Wembley Arena. Facilities include luxury suites used by corporations such as The Home Depot, club seats branded for partners including UPS, and a scoreboard system supplied by vendors who have worked on installations for Super Bowl host stadiums. Backstage amenities accommodate touring productions associated with promoters like Live Nation Entertainment and technical crews from theatrical companies that mount productions similar to The Lion King (musical) and Phantom of the Opera.

Events and tenants

Primary tenants have included the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association and the Atlanta Thrashers of the National Hockey League until the latter's relocation. The arena has hosted NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament games, WWE WrestleMania-adjacent events, and concerts by artists who have headlined Madison Square Garden and arenas worldwide. It has also been venue for esports exhibitions related to leagues like Electronic Sports League and charity events connected to organizations such as United Way of Atlanta and festivals resembling SXSW-style showcases.

Renovations and upgrades

Over its lifespan the arena underwent technological upgrades comparable to those implemented at Staples Center and United Center, including scoreboard replacements, LED ribbon-board installations like those at Oracle Arena, and acoustical improvements inspired by projects at Royal Albert Hall. Renovations also addressed hospitality spaces to meet standards set by entities managing premium experiences at venues such as Wembley Stadium and Barclays Center, and upgraded locker-room facilities to align with NBA collective-bargaining agreement recommendations and NHL player amenities norms.

Transportation and access

The arena is accessible via the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) rail and bus services, with nearby stations that also serve commuters to Georgia Institute of Technology and the Georgia State University campus. Road access connects to Interstate 75 and Interstate 85 and close proximity to parking managed by providers that service venues including Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the Georgia World Congress Center. Pedestrian links tie the arena to the CNN Center plaza and the Atlanta Streetcar corridor, facilitating routes used during large-scale events such as College Football Playoff celebrations and citywide festivals.

Category:Sports venues in Atlanta Category:Basketball venues in Georgia (U.S. state)